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MFSA – National Site: http://www.mfsaweb.org |
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Rio Texas Chapter MFSA
No Chapter Meeting This Month, Please Participate In The Following Activities!
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSAJoin MFSA at the MLK March on Monday, January 18
In this new year, have you considered what commitments you’ll make to combating racism?
Join Rio Texas MFSA on Monday, January 18 at 9am at the MLK Statue on the UT Campus to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. After a brief ceremony, we will march to the south steps of the State Capitol for a short program.
For those who want to complete the march, it will continue on to the historic Huston-Tillotson University, where there is a community festival planned. For more information, contact Janice Curry at jlcurry@austin.rr.com or visit:
http://www.mlkcelebration.com/celebration-events/march-and-festival/.
Sunday Supper & Peace Through Pie Social
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSABy Rolando Perez in Trinity UMC
Sunday, January 17, 6-8pm
Trinity UMC
Inspired by the legacy of Dr. King, America’s Sunday Supper invites people from diverse backgrounds to come together to share a meal, discuss issues that affect their community and highlight the power each one of us has to make a difference.
In that spirit, returning facilitator Jeremy Solomons will guide us in Leading Difficult Conversations Across Difference, a communication skill-building lab. The model Jeremy presents is as useful in managing conversations from the simplest differences of opinion to the gulf between deeply-held beliefs.
So please join us on Sunday January 17, 2016 from 6-8 pm.
This is a potluck Peace Through Pie Social – so bring a pie to share, savory or sweet!
Please RSVP to diversitydignitydialogue@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. Everyone is welcome and an RSVP is not required, but it will help us get a general sense of how many folks for which we should plan.
One Human Race
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA The On e Human Race Series meets once a week for three weeks to create a safe environment to communicate about race using the following resources: PBS Series: “Race: The Power of An Illusion” in one hour segments; group discussions with trained group leaders; examine the American concept of race; share feelings and experiences with a goal of building community and common ground. Click and Register Here
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| If you are unable to attend the St. James events, the Rio Texas MFSA Chapter will sponsor the One Human Race Workshops on April 16, 23, and 30, 2016. Stay tuned for details of location.
We recommend you attend at least the first workshop. Attendance to all workshops is not required, but recommended. To learn more about this movement, visit: www.OneHumanRace.info Presented by: The Myra McDaniel Chapter, which is an affiliate of the national organization, the Union of Black Episcopalians. The Chapter advocates for and encourages greater involvement and participation of members of the African Diaspora in all levels of the Episcopal Church.
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Texas Impact
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN IN TEXAS
28th Annual LEGISLATIVE EVENT
Program planned and produced by Texas Impact
The Way Texas Works
Join Women from All Around the State
To Engage Issues That Matter
Sunday, January 24, 2016 – 3:00pm to
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 – 2:00pm
Austin, Texas
REGISTRATION IS UNLIMITED! Click here to register today!
To get the early-bird registration price, register by January 8, 2016.
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New Texas Gun Laws in Effect
Effective January 1, 2016, NEW Texas Laws will make it legal to bring openly carried and concealed firearms into faith communities.
Additional Gun Laws and Religious Properties Resources
- “New Texas Gun Laws and Religious Properties” Presentation
- “Texas’ Gun Laws & Religious Properties” Overview
- Gun Signs Order Form
Religious organizations wishing to regulate firearms in their buildings are now required to post new signs at all public entrances to their buildings. Texas Impact has secured a bulk discount rate for signs that meet the legal specifications of the new law. Order your signs today at www.TexasImpact.org/GunSigns
Austin Interfaith News
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
Austin Interfaith Leaders Meeting
January 21, 2016 at 7pm – 8:30pm
St. John’s / San Juan Lutheran Church
409 W Ben White Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
United States
Google map and directions
Austin Interfaith Civic Academy – Affordable Housing
WHEN
January 23, 2016 at 9am – 12pm
WHERE
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
1206 E 9th St
Austin, TX 78702
Join Austin Interfaith clergy and leaders to discuss and learn about housing and affordability issues affecting our families, institutions, and neighborhoods. http://www.austininterfaith.org/
TCADP Annual Conference in Houston
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
The Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty will once again meet as an annual conference, this time at Unity of Houston on Saturday, February 20, 2016. The committee has planned an excellent conference with a tremendous array of presenters, workshop leaders and award recipients.
The theme of our 2016 Annual Conference, At the Epicenter of the Death Penalty, reflects the important role Texas plays in national movement away from the death penalty. It also reflects both past and present use of the death penalty in Harris County, which alone accounts for nearly 300 death sentences and more executions than any state in the country, besides Texas. Yet even in Harris County, the death penalty landscape is shifting and use is declining.
Online registration for the TCADP 2016 Annual Conference: At the Epicenter of the Death Penalty is now open! You can also mail in your registration using this form. Keynote Speaker: Sen. Colby Coash
You can also use this form to purchase an ad in the conference program, secure a spot as a vendor, or help us underwrite the conference as a sponsor. Contact us at 512-441-1808 or khoule@tcadp.org if you have any problems or questions related to this form.
Special Screening of “An Act Of Love” Documentary
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
An Act of Love
Documentary screening
Saint John’s UMC
5:30 p.m. Sunday February 21
Free admission
Join us for the screening of An Act of Love, a documentary about the trial that rocked the United Methodist Church and the minister, Rev. Frank Schaefer, who risked it all for his son. Cosponsored by: Saint John’s Reconciling Team, Rio Texas MFSA, and Rio Texas Reconciling Ministries Team.
Why this film is important now
We now have marriage equality in all 50 States, but the U.S.’s 2nd largest protestant denomination is still sharply divided on this issue.
Full equality for the LGBTQ community cannot exist in the U.S. without the support of the Christian community. Laws may be passed that provide more rights and protections, but those rights will be routinely ignored in places where the community does not agree that LGBTQ citizens should be treated as equals under the law and under God. Just as the struggle for racial and gender equality made huge strides forward once they gained the support of influential religious communities – so will the LGBTQ movement.
We hope that this film will be a strategic and important tool used to elevate the conversation about LGBTQ rights in one of the most significant Christian denominations in the U.S. – the United Methodist Church.
In May 2016, at the denomination’s General Conference, there will be another chance for the rules of the UMC to change and allow for ordination of LGBTQ clergy and for same-sex marriage within the Church. We created this film with this critical turning point in mind.
Austin Crop Walk
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
Austin CROP Hunger Walk 2016
February 28, Sunday
2:00 pm: Registration
2:30 pm: Step Off
Location for 2016
Camp Mabry
2200 West 35th Street.
Register and Raise Funds Online
For more information or assistance with raising funds online, contact at info@austincrophungerwalk.org
Beyond The Walls Event by Austin Theological Seminary
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
Topics: “Listening to All of God’s Children” and “Which Black Lives Matter?”
Presented by The Wesley Connection at Austin Seminary
Come and learn from scholar pastors formed in the Wesleyan tradition who are leading the church into the future.
Led by The Reverend Dr. Tanya Marie Eustace and The Reverend Dr. Jennifer Leath
Date: May 3, 2016
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm
Location: Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, McCord Community Center
100 East 27th Street, Austin, 78705
Cost: $15 (Lunch Included) $15 Livestream Click here to register.
(Contact beyondthewalls@austinseminary.edu.) Recommended for: clergy and lay leaders of all denominations.
It’s Time!
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
In May 2016, the UMC’s General Conference is expected to vote on whether or not to include LGBTQ congregants and ministers, or continue to reject them and forbid same-sex marriage.
- It’s Time to end the hurt that’s engulfed so many of our families.
- It’s Time to welcome and celebrate everyone who comes to The UMC.
Get involved by sending a letter to your delegation, sharing your story, and hosting or viewing a screening of An Act of Love – the story of Rev. Frank Schaefer. http://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/itstime/
LYNC – General Conference 2016
January 14, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
PREPPING FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE 2016
The deadline to submit legislation for consideration at General Conference has passed. So many submissions were made that the online platform shut down and final submission had to be made by email! Once all legislation is published, look for MFSA’s analysis (think early January).
The Love Your Neighbor Coalition consisting of thirteen partner organizations, including MFSA and RMN, join together to offer an alternative witness and advocate for policy changes that would lead the denomination to the embodiment of God’s love and justice for all people in our church and beyond. http://www.lyncoalition.org/
Here’s how you can help:
- Go to the Love Your Neighbor Coalition website and donate! Building up to and committing to a 10 to 14 day campaign like this, is costly! To complete this witness properly, we believe it will require $200,000 or more, including meals and events.
- Go to the Love Your Neighbor Coalition website and endorse the vision statement. http://www.lyncoalition.org/vision-for-umc
- Sign up to be a volunteer for the coalition. If you are able to come to Portland, OR anytime during May 10-20, 2016, please consider signing up to volunteer with the coalition (legislative tracking, witness, and support to justice-seeking delegates). You can register to volunteer now!
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 